Before the 2025-26 Premier League season, Liverpool boss Arne Slot and ex-manager Jurgen Klopp commented on the late Portugal striker Diogo Jota's contribution to the club. Earlier this July, Jota passed away in a road collision in Spain at the age of 28. Jota was traveling in the vehicle with his brother at the time of the crash, according to Sky Sports.
Jota signed for Premier League club Liverpool in September 2020. With the Reds, he won the Premier League 2024-25. He played for the Liverpool team that was defeated by Real Madrid 1-0 in the 2021/22 Champions League final, where he was a substitute. For Liverpool, the player played in 26 matches this season and netted six goals.
Slot reflected on last season's close struggle against Arsenal, emphasizing the need to battle for narrow margins once again this season.
Commenting on JioHotstar's special program, 'Preview of the Season 2025-26', Slot complimented Jota's success during the last year.
"He was a champion for his family, which is the most important thing. He was a champion for his country, winning the Nations League for a nation he loves [Portugal] and cares deeply about. And he was a champion for us by helping win the Premier League," Slot said.
Klopp hailed Jota's influence on the team's dynamics. Further, Klopp also highlighted Jota's impact on the team, saying, "Diogo was an incredibly important player for us. Having him in the side changed the dynamics."
Jota started his football journey in his native Porto in Portugal, where he played for the Pacos de Ferreira academy prior to moving to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish League in 2016.
However, he never turned out for Atletico Madrid and was sent back to Porto on loan. In 2018, the Portuguese star was signed by English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, commonly referred to as Wolves, and for the following two years, he played under fellow Portuguese boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
Jota debuted for the Portugal national team in November 2019 and played at the Euro 2022 and 2024 for his country. Nevertheless, he was left out during the FIFA World Cup 2022 since he was injured. Recently, Jota was among the Portugal team which secured the UEFA Nations League title by defeating Spain in penalties and claiming their second Nations League title.
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